Andrew Gene

Andrew is is the polymath behind the EdgeObserver, a website that celebrated knives by showcasing them with gorgeous high definition video and photography. Andrew retired the EdgeObserver in early 2018, but some of his articles and photography will get to live on here at BladeReviews.com. Check out his website and follow him on Instagram to stay on top of his latest projects.

The Hardcore Hardware Australia MFE01 Rhino is a medium sized utility tool. It was designed by Australia based tool manufacturer Hardcore Hardware in conjunction with SOER, the Special Operations Engineer Regiment which supports the Australian Special Operations Command or SOCOMD. SOER specializes in Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive (CBRNE) threats.

Their expertise also makes them an integral part of the Tactical Assault Groups (TAG) that were formed after the September 11 terrorist attacks that occurred in the US. With bases in east and west Australia, TAG is a quick response, domestic, direct action (offensive) counter-terrorism entity.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Rhino is made from a massive piece of D2 that’s just over 5/16th” (8mm) thick 12.6″, in length and 6.7″ at its widest. The total weight is 27 oz. To maintain ductility (toughness) during impact, the D2 has been heat treated to a lower hardness between 53-54 HRC. This seems sensible, being in the same range as similar sized, impact/chopping tools that have been around much longer such as hammers, axes etc..

Since D2 is a semi-stainless steel, HHA has coated this, and all their gear, with a thick black, low glare PTFE coating (teflon). The Rhino is also be available in a tan PTFE coating. The company’s logo and model name is etched on one side of the head and the Hardcore Hardware Australia word-mark and steel type appears on the other.

The MFE01 has three main tools. The front of the head has a bladed edge. This is different from the typical tomahawk as it has a much smaller cutting surface. The design focuses the impact force in a smaller area for a concentrated strike. With a steep bevel, it is proficient at splitting tasks. This geometry would be less likely to get stuck in softer materials like wood where a thinner blade is prone to.

The poll (back of the head) is claw shaped for use as an impact or prying tool. The point isn’t sharpened which, is probably a good choice to help prevent self injury when bearing down on the handle.

The back edge is rounded like a claw hammer to improve mechanical leverage and has a row of jimping that grabs the opposing surface when in use.

The jimping also adds traction when manipulating the third tool, the crowbar like pommel. This has a shallow angle resulting in a narrow tip that can be easily wedged into small spaces. A notch in the face will handle a variety of nail sizes making the Rhino great for opening crates or similar jobs.

Handle

The handle on the Rhino is somewhere in between a full and partial tang. Because the tang travels out-to and beyond the scales it could fall into the full tang category. Alternately, large slots cut out of the center for weight reduction, may argue the latter. Regardless, the 5/16th inch thickness coupled with the conservative hardness should make this tool difficult to break.

While the handle slots improve weight they can incidentally be used as large shackle wrench or to thread 550 paracord for added traction. A paracord wrap could also be an alternative handle covering if you remove the scales. The thick G10 slabs echo the tang’s slots, sharing the same weight saving, grip-adding properties. Traction is further improved with a peel-ply texture. The scales are attached with large torx fasteners and come in a brown or black color. Holes at the base of the head and pommel can be used to form a d-lanyard for extra security.

While the slots are great for grip, the over-all handle feels a bit boxy and is probably much more comfortable when wearing gloves. It would be nice to see some contouring for added comfort. Additionally the slots make the Rhino resonate, making a pinging sound when using it, especially when striking something with the head’s flat. Sound probably won’t matter to most though, seeing as the Rhino doesn’t tread quietly. Despite these criticisms the over-all dimensions and weight distribution make it feel nimble and controllable when leveraging all the tools.

Sheath / Carry

For carry the Rhino comes with two options. The first is a large 1000 denier Cordura pouch. This seals with a velcro flap and snaps, completely enclosing the tool.

The back side has a ladder of PALS webbing and a full length strap with a snap making it MOLLE compatible. The front side also has a ladder for attaching other equipment. An eyelet at the top corner and base allow for cord to be tied on, making a handle or sling.

The second option is the Kydex ‘Speed Scabbard’. As the name implies, it is designed for quick access. The scabbard only holds the head, leaving the handle exposed for release. This works by pulling downward with a back sweeping movement, releasing the blade then the claw. The motion is easy and natural.

Likewise, the head is stowed by putting the claw in first and then clipping in the rest by pushing upward. Retention is great and further enforced by a rubberized snap ensuring a secure closure. The system attaches via double MOLLE-loks.

Hardcore Hardware Australia MFE01 Rhino Review – Final Thoughts

The MFE01 Rhino is a comprehensive tool cooperatively designed with professionals for their use. The robust build quality, premium materials and useful tool set make it a durable companion capable of taking on a wide variety of hard-use tasks. Two carry options further extend the versatility of this moderately compact yet powerful package.

While finishing details are much less important than utility on any serious gear, the company has still paid good attention to the fit and finish. All in, Hardcore Hardware Australia has created an interesting variation of the modern tomahawk, adding positively to the overall offerings in this category.

Editor: I recommend purchasing the Hardcore Hardware Rhino at Amazon or BladeHQ. Please consider that by purchasing things through any of the links on this website you support BladeReviews.com, and help produce future reviews. Thank you very much.

The Rhino is a large folder from Tecnocut’sViper brand. Honoring its namesake, it features an oversized frame, robust build and armored appearance. Created by long time collaborator and custom knife maker Fabrizio Silvestrelli, it has flowing considered lines and a distinct appearance.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Rhino has an over-all length of 9.96”, a 4.25″ blade, weighs between 8.6 and 9.9 oz depending on the choice of scales, and is made in Italy. Don’t kid yourself, “Rhino” was not a misnomer. This is a big knife and is designed for those seeking something, well, built like a Rhinoceros.

The blade has an unusual shape that sits in between a sheep’s foot and a harpoon pattern. At 4.25” and with a maximum width of 1.375” it offers a long cutting surface along with resistance against lateral stresses. The nature of the sloping spine also provides excellent tip strength.

While a typical sheep’s foot blade is designed to avoid penetrating cuts, the combination of an elongated radius meeting a sloping belly results in an aggressive point. This is augmented by a swedge, improving the Rhino’s ability to perform thrust cuts. A dip after the nose-like tip adds visual interest as well as a practical place for your free hand for reinforced push cuts. The grind is a full flat with a secondary bevel. Because of the large width, the edge geometry is shallow, producing a fine edge despite the generous .157” stock.

The steel used depends on the finish. Satin blades are stainless Böhler N690 while the charcoal blades are D2 achieving their corrosion resistance through the applied PVD coating.

Both blade steels are good options and provide solid value for money. N690 in particular offers an excellent combination of stain resistance, ease of sharpening, and edge retention. D2 has a reputation for being more finicky, as it’s a tough semi-stainless steel that can be more challenging to sharpen, but it’s a good choice for harder use applications.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The handle is substantial in both length and width. At 5.5” it will easily accommodate medium and large sized hands with or without gloves. The construction is closed with scaled, full stainless liners. You have your choice of carbon fiber or cocobolo handle scales.

Designed for maximum retention, there are three distinct finger grooves that lock your hand in place. A slight flare on both sides of the inside edge prevent slipping in either direction. The back side is convex and nests in the palm comfortably. The back spacer is rounded adding style and avoiding hot spots while an adequately jimped thumb ramp provides extra control and feedback. Another run of aggressive, file-like jimping can be found on the lock release leaver for easy disengagement.

Over-all the ergonomics are excellent. While several people don’t like finger groves I personally think they work well here. The grip is very secure. A full, natural feeling in hand is partly achieved by a palm swell equally .83” (21mm) at its apex. This could be somewhat of a downside when considering pocket carry as the knife tends to hog space. Even though the clip is deep riding, the ornate appearance along with the handles bulge might generate some unwanted attention. Is that a Rhino in your pocket….?

As an additional carry option there is a recessed lanyard slot in the pommel. I’m a fan of these as it keeps everything clean looking and orients your lanyard in a sensible direction. It would be nice if Viper also included a MOLLE compatible belt sheath. I could see a folder this size benefiting from the ability to carry it on a bag, vest or belt straight out of the box.

Deployment and Lockup

Deployment is achieved via ambidextrous thumb studs. Phosphor Bronze washers and a finely dialed in spring tension make opening very fluid and easy. The thumb studs are large and easy to access. One downside is that the pivot is not adjustable unless you remove the handle scales. That said, I have not needed to adjust the pivot on this knife.

Back locking knives aren’t often associated with smooth operation however Viper has, on a number of models, achieved a perfect balance between ease of use and a reliable, tough play free lock-up. The lock is easy to disengage when you are ready to close the knife. Blade centering is perfect on these knives.

Viper Rhino Review – Final Thoughts

Everything considered the Rhino is an unusual yet attractive knife. Unapologetically oversized, it will probably appeal to a very niche market of collectors and users. If massive appeals to you, it will surely impress in the over all fit, finish and value. With a maximum price of $200.00 for the the PVD D2 and Carbon fiber model, you are getting a ton of premium materials and craftsmanship for your money. I could easily see this knife in any collection, in the bag of an outdoorsman or on the vest of a serviceman.

7Regardless of its quirks it is undeniable that the Rhino is extremely well made and functional. It’s also great that Viper, as with many of their other models, offer the Rhino in a variety of handle and blade materials accommodating a variety of tastes. To further this, it might be good for the company to consider a scaled down version as an EDC for a wider audience.

Editor: I recommend purchasing the Viper Rhino at BladeHQ. Please consider that buying anything through any of the links on this website (including Amazon) helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

The C.U.T. is a knife conceived by Dmitry Sinkevich and produced by Fantoni Knives. Sinkevich is an interesting Russian custom knife maker who creates a wide variety of designs, a folding version of this knife being one of them.

C.U.T stands for Contrast Utility Tactical. I’m not really sure what that means but it doesn’t detract from the fact that this is an awesome knife.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The C.U.T. has an overall length of 9.06″, a 4.00″ blade blade, weighs 6.173 ounces, and is made in Italy. Fantoni makes a production C.U.T. folder as well that comes in black with either a flipper or a stylized thumb hole. The fixed blade also comes in a ‘tactical’ variation with black G10 handle scales and a Kydex sheath. This version, which is marketed toward the outdoor crowd ships with a natural or black, top grain leather sheath.

The blade steel, S-30V, contains 1.46% carbon. With more than 1.2% it is enough to be classified as an “ultra high carbon” alloy. The addition of 14% chromium also makes it a stainless. 2% molybdenum and 4% vanadium has been added to improve the edge qualities through grain refinement and an even distribution of stable carbides.

The unique composition of S30V is achievable through a powder metallurgy (sintering) process that allows the combination of contrasting elements. The result garners the “super steel” classification. Although an impressive title, there are many other competitive super steels, notably Böhler M390, Damasteel RWL-34 and Carpenter CTS 204P.

The blade has an up-swept profile that increases the cutting surface and creates a long, sloping belly. This is similar to a trailing point except that the opposite edge drops to meet at the tip producing a straight point, rather than a hooked one. The steel has an over-all thickness of .154″ (4mm) and has been reduced with a high flat grind ending in a good sized choil for maintenance. A secondary bevel creates the keen, final cutting edge. A long swedge is ground along the majority of the spine for easy push cuts. From the side it would appear to be a double edge but it isn’t. Rounding things out is an interesting choil like notch at the ricasso.

The grinds are well rendered and the blade has received a fine stone wash finish. Fantoni and Sinkevich’s logos and word marks along with the steel type are tastefully laser etched on the sides of the blade.

While .25″+ blade stock has been popular in fixed knives these days, it is apparent that this thinner blade is a great choice for users who don’t abuse their tools and want performance over brawn. That’s not to say that the C.U.T. won’t hold up to serious use. It’s just well balanced, with a slight lean toward high cutting efficiency.

Handle and Ergonomics

For the handle scales Fantoni has used G10. This glass reinforced epoxy laminate has a high resistance to solvents and is extremely tough. The material has a slightly abrasive finish that provides good grip.

As with many higher end fixed blades the C.U.T. has a full tang construction. This means that the handle is backed up by the same piece of steel that makes the blade and travels to, or extends past the handle scales. While a full tang construction normally adds some weight, it is superior in strength to a partial, hidden “stick tang”. To keep things lean, Fantoni has removed a substantial amount of stock beneath the handle scales to keep the knife at a modest 6.2 oz.

The ergonomics one the knife are also well thought out. There is a row of jimping on the thumb ramp with more on each edge of the pommel working to add traction in a standard or reverse grip. The inner edge of the handle has subtle finger grooves that help to lock the hand in place without feeling restrictive. Toward the blade there is a front guard that prevents your hand from sliding forward. The detailing here is exceptional. The way that the guard appears to be wrapped by the blade and blends into the grind is beautifully executed.

The back side of the handle has a slight peak that creates a convex shape that nests against your palm. While slightly angular it doesn’t create a noticeable hot spot for my medium sized hand. The scales are a good, filling thickness. All edges have been contoured for comfort and the corners are cleanly chamfered. The same is true for the edges of the tang which extend slightly past the orange G10’s edges. An exposed pommel includes a lanyard cut-out and can be leveraged as an impact tool.

It’s welcome that there isn’t a heavy texture on the handle nor is the jimping saw-like. The features that the handle has are already enough for extended, safe use and won’t abrade your hands.

Sheath

For carry the knife ships with an elegant top-grain leather sheath. The belt loop and two sides are made from one piece of leather. This smart construction is form fitted to the handle then glued and stitched for strength.

The version in this review has a classic, natural color with a fine glossy finish. Fantoni’s logo is embossed on the front side with “Made in Italy” on the back. The sheath also comes in black but this version has a more dynamic look in my opinion.

Fantoni C.U.T. Review – Final Thoughts

When everything is considered the C.U.T. is an exceptional belt knife. The materials are a solid choice while the fit and finish is outstanding. The design has some elements that remind me of classic eastern European hunting knives. That aside the clean, angular lines and precise execution of all the elements are very modern. They could easily have the C.U.T., along with other Sinkevich knives, comfortably residing somewhere in the future.

Fantoni has done a great job teaming up with talented designers like Tommaso Rumici and William Harsey in the past. Their collaboration with Dmitry Sinkevich also falls into this category, combining key elements in a effective, winning combination.

Editor: I recommend buying the Fantoni C.U.T. at KnifeArt. Please consider that purchasing anything through any of the links on this website, including links to Amazon and BladeHQ, helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. Any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

Maxpedition is a company best known for their military inspired backpacks. They offer a wide range of fabric goods, including packs, pouches, slings, and related accessories. This is a niche brand that has developed a loyal following over the years in the outdoor recreation and daily carry communities.

So it was a little surprising to hear in 2013 that Maxpedition was going to start selling knives. On some levels it makes sense, as knives definitely compliment outdoor and “tactical” backpacks, but on the other hand they are completely different products. I’d say it’s akin to Apple deciding to sell office furniture.

At any rate, the Maxpedition Excelsa is the second knife from the Maxpedition, the first being the Ferox. The design closely resembles their previous offering, but sees a significant upgrade in materials and construction.

While considerably more expensive, the Excelsa is still aggressively competitive for a titanium frame-lock. Coming in below $130, it has features found on knives over double the price, including an over-travel stop and tool-steel blade.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Excelsa comes in two sizes. The small version is 6.7” in total length with a 2.9” blade and weighing 2.9 oz while the large version is 8.3” in with a 3.6” blade and weight of 5.1 oz. Both sizes are good for Every Day Carry (EDC) depending on your needs and preferences in an EDC knife. The knives are made in Taiwan.

The pattern is a straight forward drop point. This is commonly used on sport and utility knives for its well rounded performance in both slicing and penetrating cuts. It is also easy to maintain with a bellied profile which lacks any kind of re-curve or otherwise unusual geometry. A full flat grind with a secondary bevel produces a keen working edge. A choil will make sharpening to the end of the edge possible. The spine is capped adding nice detailing and there is a jimped thumb ramp for added control.

The blade steel used is D2. In this case it has been hardened between 58-60 Rockwell.

Unusually, there are no markings on the blade denoting the materials or manufacturer. While I like this clean aesthetic, it would be helpful to have the steel type embossed on the ricasso to let the user know how to care for the blade. This is especially true since D2 is a semi-stainless tool steel that will require some maintenance to keep it free of corrosion. If you were the second owner of the knife and didn’t have or read the documentation, then you might be surprised to see the blade behave differently from a true stainless steel folder.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The handle of the Excelsa has a simple two slab open build with a minimal amount of fasteners: three including the pivot. The inner edge has a first finger groove and another convex sweep that helps to lock the hand in place. The back edge is primarily straight with a slight turn down at the pommel that nests in the hand or serves as a thumb rest in a reverse grip. The titanium and hardware have been given a matching matte, bead blast finish.

The ergonomics are simple but comfortable. This relatively handle design will accommodate most people. You won’t be surprised to hear that the large version is larger and more comfortable for big hands. There is wide toothy jimping on the spine of the blade that captures the thumb without irritating it.

For carry there is a lanyard hole and right handed, tip up or down deep carry pocket clip. When you consider that there is only a single thumb-stud and frame-lock, this adds up to the knife being for right handed people only.

At under 3 ounces, the smaller version of this knife is imminently pocketable. It carries easily and something you will quickly forget thanks to it’s light weight, and the strong spring retention in the pocket clip. The large version is more noticeable in the pocket, but still carries well for what it is thanks to the discreet deep carry clip and thin design.

Deployment and Lockup

For deployment there is a tiered thumb-stud with an angled face. Set a good distance away from the scale’s inner edge, producing the blade is easy with one hand. This is helped along by good tolerances and phosphor bronze washers. These thumb studs remind me of those found on the Kershaw Blur.

On opening the tang meets a solid, titanium frame-lock. On the review samples provided, both were play free in any direction and easily disengaged. In order to protect the spring integrity Maxpedition has added a small tab on the inner surface to prevent over-travel when unlocking. While there are several variations of this type of mechanism, Maxpedition is in the process of patenting theirs, asserting differences in the implementation.

Unlike the blade without any markings, the locking leaf has “Maxpedition” laser etched on the surface. The branding here is a little too bold for my taste and I feel the logo could definitely be dialed back a bit to uphold the sober aesthetic.

Maxpedition Excelsa Review – Final Thoughts

Over all the Excelsa is an interesting design. While I understand and very much appreciate minimal design, this may border on sterile for some. It could have been nice to add a little something to make it more personable. Something that wasn’t a large Maxpedition logo. Maybe some added texture or subtle anodized details? Possibly a greater departure from the Ferox design could have expanded the design vocabulary of the line-up? Outside of design taste my only real issue with this knife is the lack of marking for the steel type.

Criticisms aside Maxpedition has done an excellent job with the utility as well as the pricing. You would be hard pressed to find another folder that can boast the features, materials, fit and finish at this price point.

Editor: I recommend purchasing the Maxpedition Excelsa at Amazon or BladeHQ. Please consider that buying anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

Although this particular Seiko wasn’t on my radar, I knew I always wanted to check out one of their divers, or maybe an Alpinist, so when Dan ‘Jackson’ came by my place for a visit and offered one up as a trade it kind of went like this: https://youtu.be/uvqazhJJ01A?t=2

My everyday watch is an Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean ref 2201.50.00. I was guessing that this wouldn’t be kicking my PO off my wrist permanently, but also thought hey, why not. Life isn’t a practice run so I have to pull the trigger when it feels right. Right? It’s a nice watch at an apparently reasonable value. It’s also both blue and shiny which can be strong qualifiers for a guy like me. YOLO, just not in a frat boy kind of way. That might catch you a case. Kidding aside, with such a devout group of brand enthusiasts I had to give one of these a shake to see if Prospex Divers live up to the fanboy hype and deserve our money.

Now that it’s been a couple of weeks of wearing this every day I feel like I can share some opinions, but lets get the details out of the way first.

Specs (From the Seiko website)

Case:

Stainless steel (Duralex coating) with a stainless steel bezel

Thickness: 13.8 mm

Diameter: 42.6mm

Lug width: 20mm

Crystal:

Curved sapphire

Anti-reflective coating on inner surface

Movement:

Caliber 6R15

Automatic with manual winding

Hacking seconds hand function

Calendar (date)

23 jewels

Reserve:

Approx. 50 hours

Accuracy:

+25 to -15 seconds per day

Stock Strap:

Silicon/Stainless buckle and keeper

Features:

Screw down crown

Unidirectional rotating bezel

LumiBrite on hands and indexes

Water Resistance 200m / 660ft

Just a note, while this watch was released as a “modern interpretation” of the 1965 62MAS. I’m not really feeling a strong connection as seen in the closely reproduced SLA017 Limited edition. The similarities could be compared to Battlefield V repping WWII so for the purpose of this review I won’t be making many comparisons. Following the design lineage of the Prospex line can, and should be its own article.

If you truly want a 62MAS though, the real deal, in reasonable vintage condition can still be found. Limited to 2000 units, a new SLA017 might be impossible to find brand new but I’ve seen lightly used ones pop up on Watch Recon for a little less that $3500 USD.

Fit

As a medium to large sized diver this doesn’t exactly melt into your wrist although its relative thickness at 13.8 mm keeps it from feeling like you are wearing a teetering brick. Its proportions help it stay put which is nice for people who prefer a looser fit like myself. In fact, it is surprisingly comfortable with the exception of the somewhat stabby crown which at the 3:00 position, occasionally reminds you that you are alive and didn’t actually drown in 1984.

It would be an improvement if the crown was slightly shrouded like on my PO, with a guard, or at 4:00 like on the SPB079J1. Sometimes referred to as a “retro” or “heritage” kind of crown position/look, I may refer to it as “mildly uncomfortable” but I digress. It will make you a man like they used to make men. Your dad’s, dad. Barefoot to school at 6:00 am in the freezing cold on broken glass kind of stuff. It’s not actually that bad. Mild is the key word here.

In retrospect I remember finding the PO’s crown noticeable as well, so it’s something I can easily say everyday users will forget about. Traveling forward in time, I have. Otherwise, all of the edges are flowing and well rendered which translates to a comfortable wear.

With my modest 7.25” wrist this fits well without looking ridiculous on the bracelet or (I’m guessing) stock strap. For you sneaker wearing low-brows this is comfy and looks sharp on a NATO too. If you are a bit weedy though, it may look more like a Pip-Boy 3000 than a watch, so something a bit more demure may suit your delicate wrist better. In these modern times, something > 40 mm would be my recommendation for you.

Movement

The movement is a calibre 6R15 (23 Jewels) which is a mid-range, in-house design that operates at 21,600 vph. It’s a step up from the Seiko 7S26 that’s found in the likes of the venerable SX007’s and other entry level mechanical Seikos.

I’ve heard of this movement referred to as both “tried and true” and “just a 7S26 with hacking and winding” hastily tacked on. On the other hand I’ve read that the movement’s support has been re-engineered enough that it deserves a distinction far beyond that of a modified 7S26. Honestly I’m just getting started with these Seikos so I still have some things to uncover over time but hey, that’s what the hobby (and comment section) is all about.

Personally I like the performance I’ve been getting out of this movement. I’m not hooking this thing up to my Timegrapher or anything. I just like to be on time and this gets me there without a daily check against my iPhone. Well not entirely true, during the time of this review I had periodically checked it against my phone and it seems close enough to me. I would say it safely sits well inside Seiko’s advertised tolerance of +25 to -15 seconds per day. Much tighter would be my guess but again, I haven’t any kind of real measure. Maybe when I get my mildly abused PO serviced I’ll have this watch regulated and share some more info on the movement when it is looked at by a proper watchmaker. In the meantime I’ll let the heritage boot guys banter about the faults or virtues of the 6R15 over a craft brew. You know who you are.

My only beef with this movement is how the date turns over. It starts to slowly creep just before 11:00 pm and finally, snaps into place at about 11:59. I’d like this to just snap over at 12:00 ish like my Omega. I’m a night owl so I’m always seeing this half turned over date. Maybe I’m just spoiled.

Circling back; movements without hand winding, a screw-down crown and to a lesser extent hacking are a deal breaker for me so this fits the bill. Having the date is also a big plus. As far as reliability, only time will tell. I tend to be pretty rough on my watch so if anyone will awaken the gremlins, I’m your man and will duly report.

A bit of trivia; Seiko is one of the few companies that makes their own mainsprings. They use their proprietary Spron 510 alloy which is also found in the balance spring. Spron helps gives this watch a 50-ish h power reserve which I seem to be getting most of. The alloy is similar to its Swiss counterpart Nivarox but not as high tech as newer alloys or the Silicon mixtures in the most current Rolexes, Omegas and their ilk.

Along with the aforementioned features the 6R15 includes Diashock which in this watch is basically a flat spring that cradles the balance wheel end stone and jewel helping to protect the balance against shock. I’m pretty sure most mechanical movements worth their salt have a decent one of these.

Case and Crown

The screw-down crown is a pleasure to use on this watch. Setting the time or “quick set” date is a smooth procedure. I’m also liking the wind which feels satisfying with its slightly audible ratcheting. A crisp, coin edge and fair size gives you a good grip for easy operation. If I could change one thing, I’d probably add some detailing to the cap of the crown which is “sterile”. Maybe the PX logo a “S” or “Seiko” like on some other models?

The case has a flowing shape with drilled, tapered lugs at 20mm apart. The face has a brushed finish that follows the circumference of the bezel. Moving toward the edge there is a highly polished bevel followed again by brushing on the outmost sides. The back is largely mirror polished, with the exception of a ring around the screw-down case-back that frames the embossed Prospex, Tsunami logo. I’m not crazy about the Tsunami Embossing. Maybe it will grow on me but it doesn’t capture my imagination at the moment. I prefer the dolphin logo which shouldn’t be cooler but kind of is. I personally like a more traditional depiction of the tsunami. There’s more info and the serial number, logo’s etc on the case back. All things you don’t really see but may admire when off your wrist in full nerd mode.

Overall, the case is attractive, with good attention to detail and thoughtfulness in its design. The workmanship is protected with a Seiko’s Diasheild which I’ve read is some type of PVD coating similar to what you would find on black-bladed knives or those gold-titanium coated drill bits. I have no reference as to how long this will last but so far so good. The bracelet must not be coated with the same stuff as it’s showing a fair bit of scuffing already, but nothing unexpected.

Dial, Bezel, and Crystal

The Dial is blue with a sunburst pattern. It presents a dark, near black color in low/artificial light and a vivid, bright royal blue in strong daylight. The indexes are oversized, made up of wide, applied, flat stainless borders and filled with Seiko’s LumiBrite. The signature consists of the Seiko logo on the top half with the Prospex logo, “Automatic” and “Diver’s 200m” on the bottom half.

There’s a chapter ring with a flange meeting the bezel with the hour and minute indexes. The primary lumed indexes are straight at 6 and 9 with a double width at 12:00. The others taper toward the dial’s centre. A chamfered date aperture is found at 3:00 which has a small white border giving it a tightly finished look. The Lume works great and keeps its glow for a long time.

I’ve read that some of these watches have alignment issues with the bezel and or chapter ring. I’m not seeing anything like that on this particular watch which looks to me, as expected. To be critical, It would have been nice if there was another applied element. Either the Seiko logo or Prospex logo would do and I’ve seen it done on Seiko models at a less than half the price. A little more detail would have me totally sold on this dial but I’m still about 85% there.

The handset is shared with the Seiko Tunas and includes a portly arrow for the hour and a slender rectangular minute hand that terminates at a blunted point. While not as elegant as some of the other Seiko diver hand sets, you can’t argue with the legibility. You could argue that the steel bordering on the hands could be polished to match the index borders and I wouldn’t disagree. I think it would help tie things together.

Back to legibility, the dial might be be better with more contrasting indexes like the bubbly ones found on the Tuna that these were borrowed from (I get that it’s supposed to reference the 62MAS). Either way it’s a pretty moot, enthusiast issue in my opinion. If you can’t read your watch you have other problems to address. The second hand is narrow with a lumed tail. The lume here is used to show that the watch is working, as per ISO 6425 (diver’s watch) standards.

The bezel is a 120 click, unidirectional that rotates counter-clockwise. As on the crown, a tight crisp coin edge makes it easy to get a hold of. That’s a good thing since the rotation is pretty firm, albeit smooth with a dampened feel. The insert is super polished, blue and with matte indexes and numbers. Like the dial, In low light the bezel almost appears black but presents a bright blue in daylight. While the bezel and dial aren’t exact in color, they compliment each other perfectly. There’s a lume pearl so the bezel position can be easily read in the depths.

The crystal is slightly domed with an antireflective coating on the inside. There’s not much to say here other than it looks great and it should stay that way since it’s a sapphire crystal, not Seikos cheaper Hardlex Mineral. If it’s anywhere near as hard as the one on my Omega, it will take more of beating than it will ever deserve. Before the crystal meets the bezel, there’s a generous bevel that is large enough to refract elements of the dial below. Since the dial is pretty simple, I feel that this adds a necessary detail. On a busier watch I appreciate it if the crystal flows into the bezel seamlessly.

Bracelet

It’s an attractive Oyster copy with a pinch button deployment clasp with a safety. There’s also a Diver’s extension. For the price the fit and finish is excellent. The links are brushed and have polished inner and outer edges. The inner edge polishing in particular, adds some luxe appeal without the associated premium.

If I were to adjust the bracelet aesthetically, I might give the clasp a little more love but to reiterate, at this price I have no legitimate complaints. Mechanically, the detent on the safety could be stronger. While it’s staying put now, I’m not sure if that will always be the case. Functionally it’s not a big concern since the main clasp is sturdy.

Speculating from photos, the stock silicone bracelet looks to have some inner texture so it should breath a little for comfort. The ends flow fluidly with the case, more so than the bracelet or a nato does. Not surprising though, since this strap is made for the watch. The pin buckle is polished while the keeper is brushed with an embossed Seiko logo.

The silicone strap’s accordion shape won’t be for everyone but it serves the practical purpose of working as a diver’s extension with the added function of maintaining a comfortable tension under variable pressures/wet and dry. If I was actually diving with this watch (which I won’t be), this would be the strap I’d use because its purpose built. At the desk I like the look of a Nato or the bracelet and I’ve read that these silicone straps are lint magnets.

Seiko SPB053 / SPB051 Watch Review – Final Thoughts

The Seiko ref. SPB053 is a sharp looking watch that has a sophisticated balance of conservative detailing and good functionality that references decades of Seiko diver designs. The stand out for me has to be the dynamic combination of dial and bezel that shows different personas depending on the lighting. This has been the most enjoyable aspect and I may have found it a touch too minimal otherwise.

As to be expected with all the Prospex line up, it meets the diver specifications outlined in ISO 6425, making it a viable mechanical alternative to a dive computer if you are feeling old school or want to look medium-fancy in your Y-40 swimming pool.

Value wise, there’s a lot of watch for your money here but the pricing/feature is still carefully measured. Seiko has amassed a following that they are clearly aware of by releasing such models, so while easily worth the ask, you aren’t getting an absurd amount of extra value – just what the brand is typically known for. That said, the fit, finish and function will satisfy.

As for me personally, the SPB053 has ticked enough boxes to put it in the recommend column, so long as you aren’t actually looking for a 62MAS and can pull off the larger 42.6 mm case.

An applied signature, polished hands and some detail on the crown would have made this even more competitive and memorable at a price point where there are some other tempting offers. Regardless, I’m understanding why people love the Prospex line. They have a compelling value proposition and wear well, dressed up (maybe not black tie) or down while maintaining that tool watch pedigree. There aren’t many divers around this price with a similar build quality and fewer with such a long and clearly documented design history.

The addition of a couple of Natos and the excellent bracelet will makes this considerably more enjoyable. The drilled lugs make for easy strap changes to get more life out of this beautiful watch.

If blue isn’t to your taste the model also comes in black as ref. SPB051. There’s also the SPB079J1, a similar type vintage inspired ‘re-issue’ that was previously mentioned and has worked its way onto my wish list.

Editor: I recommend purchasing the Seiko SPB053 at Amazon or Jomashop. Please consider that buying anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

Also, if you like the watch reviews, here is a link to all our watch reviews.

The K-1 is from TRC Knives, a company out of Lithuania. It is run by Andrius Tricius who is also the maker. I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing another one of Andrius’ knives, the Apocalypse-L which has helped to give me a little more insight into his work.

As with the Apocalypse, this knife leaves an immediate impression of quality. There aren’t any rough surfaces or inconsistencies in the symmetry from side to side. The sheath is cleanly made without damage or marks from thermo-forming and all of the surfaces are well finished, edges chamfered and holes carefully countersunk. From first glance the knife seems to have been CNC made by a high end manufacturer. On closer inspection it is much nicer with the subtle attention to details only a highly skilled craftsman will ensure are tightly buttoned up.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The TRC K-1 has an overall length of 9.25″ (235 mm), a 4.52″ (115mm) blade, weighs 6.95 oz (197g) and 10.01 ounces (286g) with the sheath. This knife is made in Lithuania. The knife is best described as a camp knife or large fixed blade utility knife. With a 4.5″ blade, it isn’t going to work as a daily carry for most people.

The blade on the knife is made from Böhler Uddeholm’s Elmax. This steel falls into the category of powder metallurgy (P.M.) steels and offers exceptional performance. By performance I’m referring to its ability to take and maintain a keen edge and its corrosion resistance. As a P.M. steel it enjoys a healthy mix of some otherwise tricky to alloy materials (in high amounts) such as carbon, chromium and vanadium. The exact composition is as follows:

Carbon

Silicon

Manganese

Chromium

Molybdenum

Vanadium

1.7

0.8

0.3

18

1.0

3.0

There has been a bit of a buzz surrounding Elmax as being overrated. The heat treat is often speculated as being the culprit. Personally I’ve had a positive experience with this knife and Elmax in general. It is somewhat tougher to sharpen than what most people are used to and perhaps this is partly where Elmax looses some points. If you let your knives get very dull and aren’t an experienced sharpener than a lower hardness or less tough steel may be a better choice.

The blade profile is reminiscent of the classic Bob Loveless drop point. It has a good amount of straight working edge followed by some belly toward the end. The spine drops down to meet the tip (hence the name) creating a better point for penetrating cuts, adding to the versatility. The grind is a high flat that is sharpened with a secondary bevel.

The spine of the knife is “capped” meaning that it’s rounded. This detail resolves the shape nicely while making it more comfortable in use when bearing down on the back of the blade with your thumb or other hand. This K-1 has a satin finish but the model can also can be had in a stone-wash. The flats have a coarse texture that contrasts the smoothly finished bevels adding an attractive detail. At the plunge there is a deep choil for sharpening. TRC knives is etched on one side of the blade with K-1 on the other and Elmax on the handle spine.

Handle and Ergonomics

The handle is a full tang construction meaning that the supporting handle material travels out to the edges of the scales and is visible. The tang on the K1 actually protrudes a little further and is rounded off for comfort. Having this extra steel around the edges helps to both protect the scales and allow the pommel to be used as an impact tool.

The scales are thick Olive Micarta. Micarta uses organic materials like paper, linen or in this case Canvas as a reinforcement in a resin matrix. Unlike other similar materials such as G10 (also called FR4) or carbon fiber that use glass fibers, Micarta has a natural look and feel. On its outermost surface it also slightly absorbent. Even when wet, Micarta has excellent traction making it a solid choice for an all-weather grip. For fasteners the knife has flat topped bolts that require a three pronged driver. While the bolts give the knife a modernizing look and add to the design interest, you’ll need a special tool if you ever have to re-tighten them or want to take down the knife.

Ergonomically the K-1 checks all the boxes. The handle has a great thickness and as mentioned, the Micarta provides excellent traction. All of the corners have been skillfully chamfered preventing hot spots and supporting prolonged use. The blade has a short front guard followed by a finger groove to keep your hand firmly in place without worry of slipping onto the edge. The groove is complimented by some deep jimping on the spine for thumb placement that adds control and feedback.

At about 4.75” long the handle should fit most medium to large hands with or without gloves. Both the inner and outer edges gently curve and resulting in a natural grip. They terminate at a slightly flared pommel that helps to prevent slipping off the handle. There is a lanyard hole where you can add a wrist lanyard to further secure you to the handle.

Sheath

For carry the K-1 comes with a Kydex sheath. It has a two piece, sandwich construction with the halves being held by black eyelets. The eyelets are spaced for modular attachment points using fasteners like Tek-Loks or other M.O.L.L.E. type rigging. A nylon belt comes standard with the sheath and can be removed if desired. At the bottom there is a small drainage hole for aeration.

The retention is good while still allowing the knife to draw easily. Removing the K1 is helped along by a flared out corner at the mouth of the sheath. This allows you to quickly push it away with your thumb. Overall the sheath is well executed, uncomplicated and versatile.

TRC Knives K-1 Review – Final Thoughts

To sum it up, there isn’t anything I dislike about the TRC Knives K-1. It is an excellent fixed blade. I think that the overall dimensions and weight fit perfectly into my outdoor knife preferences. It has enough size and brawn to make it capable of handling some harder tasks but isn’t over-built.

If you are looking for a higher end, medium sized handmade fixed blade than this may just be it. If not, TRC makes other models on the larger and smaller end of the spectrum that I’m sure will be equally well made, function flawlessly and last a lifetime.

Editor: I recommend purchasing the TRC Knives K-1 at Amazon or BladeHQ. Please consider that buying anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.